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Paul Harris Fellows

The Paul Harris society is named after Paul P. Harris, founder of International Rotary. Paul Harris formed the world’s first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on the 23rd of February, 1905. His intention was to recapture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth.Today, Paul Harris Society contributions to The Rotary Foundation support a wide range of humanitarian grants and educational programs that enable Rotarians to bring hope and promote international understanding throughout the world. Become a member of the Paul Harris Society today and make a lasting difference.

What is the Paul Harris Society?

The Paul Harris Society is a special district recognition program designed for Rotarians who wish to support The Rotary Foundation in a more substantial way each year.The Paul Harris Society recognizes Rotarians and friends of The Rotary Foundation who annually contribute US$1,000 or more to the Annual Program Fund, PolioPlus, and PolioPlus Partners, or the Humanitarian Grants Program.The first Paul Harris Society was established in 1998 in District 5340 (California, USA) by District Governor Wayne C. Cusick. The idea gained momentum and quickly spread to other districts throughout the world. The Trustees of The Rotary Foundation officially approved The Paul Harris Society as a district-administered recognition program effective July, 2006.

Guidelines for District Paul Harris Society Membership and Recognition

•Recognizes individual donors who make a commitment to contribute US$1,000 or more each year to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus, and PolioPlus Partners, or the Humanitarian Grants Program.
• With an additional annual gift of $1,000, donors may also recognize their spouse as a Paul Harris Society member.
• Membership in the Paul Harris society will be tracked and recognized in the donor’s district.
• Paul Harris Society contributions are eligible toward Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member, Paul Harris Fellow, Multiple Paul Harris Fellow, and Major Donor recognition.